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Population Review

Chautauqua County, New York Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 23rd-largest in New York

The population of Chautauqua County, New York is 126,329 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 23rd-largest county in New York. The median household income is $56,507, the median home value is $119,300, and the median age is 42.7.

The population of Chautauqua County has declined 7.9% since 2010 (134,726 → 124,105), a -0.58% annualized rate.

Chautauqua County within New York · Source: US Census TIGER/Line via us-atlas

126,329

Population

-0.58%

Annual growth

119

People / sq mi

$56,507

Median Income

$119,300

Median Home Value

Chautauqua County covers 1,060 sq mi of land at 119.1 people per square mile.

About Chautauqua County, NY

Chautauqua County is a county in New York with a population of 126,329. It ranks #23 among counties in New York by population. The median age is 42.7, older than the national median. The population is 49.6% male and 50.4% female.

The median household income in Chautauqua County is $56,507, below the US median of $74,580. 10.7% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $119,300, with monthly rent averaging $797. The homeownership rate of 69.1% is higher than the national rate of 64.8%.

Educational attainment in Chautauqua County reflects 25.1% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 7.0% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 19.3 minutes each way.

Chautauqua County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Chautauqua County had a population of 134,726 in 2010 and 124,105 in 2024, a -7.9% growth over 14 years. The peak was 134,726 in 2010. Average annual growth rate: -0.58%.

2010 · 135K20102024

124,105

Population (2024)

134,726

Population (2010)

134,726

Peak (2010)

-0.58%

Avg Annual Growth

YearPopulation
2010134,726
2011134,227
2012133,333
2013132,884
2014131,792
2015130,582
2016129,310
2017128,424
2018127,516
2019126,636
2020127,370
2021126,192
2022125,310
2023124,742
2024124,105

Race & Ethnicity

White87.3%
Black or African American2.7%
Asian0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)1.2%
Two or More Races0.0%

Age & Sex

42.7

Median Age

50.4%

Female

49.6%

Male

21.0%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5
5.3%
5–9
5.9%
10–14
5.8%
15–19
6.7%
20–24
6.2%
25–34
11.2%
35–44
11.2%
45–54
11.8%
55–59
7.1%
60–64
7.7%
65–74
12.5%
75–84
5.8%
85+
2.7%

Children (under 15): 17.0% · Seniors (65+): 21.0%

Income & Poverty

Median household income$56,507$-28,071 vs state
Mean household income$74,065
Per-capita income$31,951
Poverty rate10.7%+0.9% vs state
Unemployment rate3.1%
Employment-to-population52.5%

Top Industries by Employment

Professional & business services
29.3%
Manufacturing
15.6%
Education & health care
9.0%
Finance & real estate
6.8%
Public administration
5.8%
Construction
5.4%
Arts, entertainment & food
5.0%
Retail trade
4.2%

The largest employment sector in Chautauqua County is professional & business services, accounting for 29.3% of workers.

How residents commute

0.5%

Drive alone

3.9%

Carpool

76.5%

Public transit

7.0%

Work from home

19.3 min

Avg commute

Housing

$119,300$-283,700 vs state

Median home value

$797

Median rent

69.1%

Homeownership rate

66,328

Total housing units

80.8%

Occupied

19.2%

Vacant

30.9%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

94.6%

With health insurance

90.9%

With broadband internet

19.8%

Foreign-born

7.6%

Veterans (18+)

17.8%

With a disability

91.0%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

90.0%

High School+

25.1%

Bachelor's+

Largest cities in New York

Other counties in New York

Part of New York

Metro areas in New York

County rankings

Frequently Asked Questions

Chautauqua County, New York has a population of 126,329 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 23rd-largest county in New York. Population density is 119 people per square mile.

The population of Chautauqua County has declined 7.9% since 2010 (134,726 → 124,105), a -0.58% annualized rate.

The median household income in Chautauqua County, New York is $56,507, with mean (average) household income of $74,065 and per-capita income of $31,951. 10.7% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Chautauqua County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (87.3%), Black or African American (2.7%), Hispanic or Latino (1.2%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Chautauqua County, New York is 42.7 years. Residents are 50.4% female and 49.6% male.

The median home value in Chautauqua County is $119,300 and median monthly rent is $797. 69.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 66,328 total housing units, 19.2% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Chautauqua County, New York is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 29.3% of workers. The unemployment rate is 3.1%.

New York is among the largest cities associated with Chautauqua County, New York, with a population of 8,516,202.

Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.